Bali Guru story continues....

The other incident was on the last day. Last year in Bali, in the last session,Guruji had guided us through a lying-down meditation, which was one of my deepest meditations. My expectations was ready and waiting for a similarexperience this year. The last session started with a CD-guided meditation, oneI had never done before. Somehow the meditation did not click with me - there were too many thoughts, impatience etc. After the meditation ended Guruji came into the hall and the first question he asked, "How many of you did not have agood meditation?" I wanted to put my hand up but had this concept - I've done a few advanced courses, how can I say I didn't have a good meditation; maybe Iate too much, maybe this, that...., the mind came up with many reasons not toput my hand up. Then I noticed Austin, the experienced teacher from LA puttingher hand up. Not only that, Guruji said, "All those who didn't have a good experience, come up, come sit in the front." And a few more veteran meditators went up. Then Guruji said, "Okay, now all of you just sit - don't do anything,don't meditate. I'll meditate for you." My mind went into a downward spiral, "I should have put my hand up, now I won't have a good second meditation also,waah, waah, waah." And in the second meditation, conducted entirely in silence,I didn't have much of a deep experience either. When we came out of meditation,Guruji asked, "hmm....better, no?" I was by now amused at my own mind andopened my eyes looking at him. He was looking around the room and then heclosed his eyes, a blissful smile on his face and slowly rotated his neck. My eyes seemed to close on their own and the next few minutes were full of bubbling bliss.

Another couple of useful lessons:
Lesson 1. Drop your concepts in front of the Master.Be natural.
Lesson 2. Even if you don't, the Master will still take care of you.Afterward when we were sharing experiences - I realized, each person on the course had received a personalized, signature package of joy from Guruji during the course. So many people and yet each one really did their own course.Now, if you want your own personal packet of bliss with your name written on itwith Guruji's hand-writing, go and do a part 2 course with him. I think the gift is better if you travel a bit to get to him. (At least we don't have to climb a mountains to meet our Guru, right?) And if you're one of the lucky(may I say smart :) ) ones who do the part 2 course during Guru Purnima(us.artofliving.org/gp2008), you also get a very special gift of your choicefrom the Master on the day of Guru Purnima. The rest you have to find out for yourself.
By an ardent devotee

Jai Gurudev!

Guru stories from Bali

A couple of things happened during the Bali course. The first incident was on the second day of the course. It was satsang and that time when Guruji looks around and says, "Anybody has birthdays?Anniversaries?" That day there were only three or four people who came up and one of them had a large cake with her. Guruji cut the cake and while cuttingit, managed to get some cake on his clothes. He gave the ecstatic devotee a piece and looked around for a napkin to clean his clothes. Of course it was the one day when the tissue box was not on the side-table. The inevitable volunteer scramble happened and a box of tissues appeared. Guruji took the box and...immediately offered it to the birthday girl. She was enjoying the sweetest cake and while she was eating it, a few crumbs had made their way onto her cheek. A very simple gesture, yet so indicative - first making sure the devotee's needs were met and then rubbing off the cake from his clothes. It reminded me of a passage in the book, "Guru of Joy", where some volunteers questioned building houses for nearby villages when the Ashram itself needed more housing. Guruji said, "If we wait for all our needs to be met before helping others, we'll never help anyone!" Each moment, he naturally and effortlessly shows us how to live like that.

Gaia Theory: Chakras and the Seven Sacred Cities

Seven cities in India correspond to seven centres orchakras in our body: Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi,Kanchi, Avantika, Puri drawaravati chaiva, saptaidemoksha dayikaÓ.

Haridwar: Maya or Haridwar corresponds to themooladhar chakra situated at the base of the spine.When the jadata or lethargy goes and you commence your journey. This is the seat of emotions like inertia, enthusiasm. When there is no 'Inertia' 'Enthusiasm' appears and vice-versa. At one time only one emotion is there. `Haridwar' specifies the `Mooladhara' chakra. Haridwar means `entry into divinity'

Kamakshi: The second is Swadhishthaana chakra. This is situated at the back of the genitals. The energy for creativity, lust originate here… Temple of Kaanchi is equal to Swadhishthaana chakra. The devi of Kaanchi is Kamakshi. The devi of lust, desire.

Ayodhya: The third is Manipoor chakra. This is situated at the abdomen. Emotions like happiness, generosity, greed, jealousy are felt here. These emotions are related to `Ayodhya'. It was the jealousy and greed of Kaikeyi that madeRama take vanavas. Ayodhya is also known for thegenerosity of Rama. The joy of Rama's return toAyodhya is celebrated as Diwali.The jealousy and greed of Kaikeyi sent Raama into the forests. Similarly `Ayodhya is famous for Raama's generosity… `Ayodhya' means a place where there is no fight where it cannot be hurt.

Mathura: Situated at the heart is the fourth chakra, `Anahaata'. Emotions like love, fear are related to the heart. The holy city of `Mathura' is associated with this chakra. Mathura symbolises the love and devotion of the gopisfor Krishna, as well as of the fear and hatred ofKansa, all matters of the heart.

Avantika also called Ujjain: The fifth chakra, `Vishuddhi' is situated at the neck. Gratefullness, sorrow are experienced here. … The holy city of `Avantika' or `Ujjain' specify `Vishuddhi' chakra. This is the city of art and literature. The great poet Kaalidasa was born here. It is also the city of King Vikramaaditya, grief and glory. We feel gratitude in the throat region - we getchoked.

Kaashi: The sixth is `Aagya' chakra. Situated between the eyebrows this chakra is the seat of knowledge, unawareness, anger. This chakra is also known as the `Gnana chakshu' or the third eye. `Kaashi' is the seat of knowledge. `Kaashi' is the city of learned men and wise men.Kashi has always been the seat of knowledge.That's why the ajna chakra is also called gyanachakshu, the third eye. Kashi is the city of punditsand scholars.

Dwaraka: The seventh chakra is `Sahasraara'. This is on top of the head. Eternal bliss is felt here. The holy city of `Dwaraka' specifies `Sahasraara'. Dwara-ka means `where is the door?' What is the significance of door without walls? Look, there are no borders, walls for eternity. Srikrishna left his body in Dwaraka. `Sahasraara' also means `one thousand paths'. So, the path towards mukti starts at Haridwar and ends at Dwaraka. The `Aatma' is also called `Purusha'. `Puru' means `City' and `Purusha' means `Resident of a City'. Purusha is blemishless and eternal. But, when negative feelings come, purusha experiences bondage. Pure emotions steeped in knowledge leads one to moksha. Feelings devoid of knowledge create negative feelings. These unsettle us. Alongside create bondage. Being aware of the praana and the sensations in one's body is the only way to end negative feelings.

The soul is called Purusha. Pura means a town. Purushameans one who lives in the town. The Purusha isunbound and infinite. But the Purusha experiencesbondage with all the negative emotions. Positivefeelings with knowledge are liberating. Positivefeelings without knowledge create negative emotionswhich are stifling, hence one experiences bondage.When you observe the prana moving through differentcentres associated with sensations, the negativefeelings cease to exist and one is libera-ted frombondage.

The microcosm and the macrocosm are interlinked.Planet earth, home to many organisms, is itself alarge organism. It is not just a place for livingbeings; it is a living organism as a whole. This iswhat the Gaia theory says. Materialism considerseverything as objects. Spirituality, on the otherhand, discovers life in everything. So do children.For them, the moon talks, the sun smiles and themountains hear. Everything comes alive. Chicken, cows,mice - all are perceived to be in communication mode.Even cities have collective consciousness.

A streetwhere unethical people conduct their business isbelieved to emit heavy vibrations whereas aneducational institution or a place of worship emitspositive and light vibrations.The seven sacred rivers are the Ganga, Yamuna,Saraswati, Godavari, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri.Together with the seven sacred cities, they are linkedto the seven sacred spots within you.

You can do 'Hari Om' Meditation during Padmasadhana by being aware of the significance of each chakra and taking your attention to each one.

- H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji.

Intention, Attention, Manifestation

http://guruvaani.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/intention-attention-manifestation/

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/05/the-power-of-now/


--- Sri Sri

Reflection

Past few weeks have been an eye opener for me. Unbelievable realizations, interesting observations and challenging situations. I recollect Guruji’s words that it’s not easy to walk this path, it really requires a lot of courage, patience, an open & broad minded attitude and a continuous willingness to learn from your own mistakes, from the mistakes that others make and from situations that the Guru puts you through.

Here is a poem that reflects my thoughts and feelings…

Yes+! gave us a platform to grow.
A path to walk the Guru’s talk.
Arguments, Difference of Opinions & Conflicts
Are all a part of the game
That makes us time and again aware of our focus that we need to regain.
Sadhana, Seva & Satsang is the Youth Mantra for this lifetime
The learning curve from a Partcipant – Volunteer – Teacher – Devotee.
Guruji says 2009 is the Virodhi year.
But with Guruji’s knowledge and our commitment
We can walk miles and miles beyond our imagination.
Just make sure that your vision is in alignment with the Master’s Vision
And you are walking at the pace of the Master.

The Magic of Sri Sri through his Divine Angels

Jai Gurudev Guys,

I recollect in one of the knowledge sheets Guruji had said that if your car runs out of fuel you can't run the car, to do that you need to refill the car. Similarly in our life we run out of dedication and commitment and Guruji gave me another oppurtunity to reawaken these qualities .

2nd April-5th April , 4 blissful days of my life till date. Reason :) An advance course with Rishi Vidhyadharji. To put it in simple words it was an ideal combination of fun with knowledge. Rishiji is one person whom you just cannot miss doing a course no matter what! The beauty, style, simplicty and grace with which he shares the vision of the mater and inspires each individual is something that each one needs to experience(Especially Rishiji's Sanskrit one liners). Although I knew that doing Yoga is important both for the body and mind, for this first time in my life i saw an entire;y new dimension of Yoga - Asanas+ Music+Knowledge.....wow what a deadly combo na! It feels so wonderful living in the present moment and Rishiji made us conciously aware of this breathing reality of life and trust me its not so diificult as i thought it to be. Wanna know the key...

Dedication & Commitment with Self Discipline - Regular Sadhana (Yoga Asanas+Padmasadha+Sudarshankriya+Satsang+Sahej twice a day), 2 advances& 1 dsn in a year , and listening to Guruji's knowledge. And also inspiring others to do the same.

This reminds of Guruji's words. Guruji always says; We can't decrease the negativity in the world because the world is not going to change but we can definitely increase the positivity.
And we all know how!

Prajakti Deshmukh the new Sahej teacher re-emphasized the importance of doing Sahej everyday twice a day. I am blessed with the best company I tell you...al credits to Guruji.Ur the best Guruji!

Rishiji's Key to An Unshakeable Smile

Key to Happiness

We base our happiness on factors which are outside our control. Life is ever changing and full of opposites. Basing our state of mind on such factors outside our control leads to depression, frustration and unhappiness.

For e.g.
If we are happy because of good health then we are sure to lose our happiness as and when our health deteriorates.

If we feel secure because we have money then its opposite is also not far away.

If we are in high spirits being in love then whenever we are alone again due to death or separation from partner and without any assurance that the partner will ever come back, we are bound to be depressed.

If we are contented because of our progeny, then losing our progeny to death or separation due to some other cause will lead to utter discontentment.

If we are happy due to fame and power then their lack will also cause total unhappiness.

All these factors are outside our control and hence basing our mental state on any one of these is dangerous and is bound to end in unhappiness. The only happiness which is stable and free from external influences is the one which is what we feel when we do Sudarshan Kriya, which is without any reason.

The happiness based on the 9 factors- pleasures based on 5 senses, fame, love, progeny and money is short lived and leads to pain whenever one of these factors is missing from our lives.